Ranganath

Ranganath Biography

Ranganath was a popular actor associated with Telugu cinema, theatre and television. A veteran actor of Tollywood, he portrayed more than 300 film roles in a career spanning to more than 45 years since his debut in 1969. One of the finest artists of Telugu cinema, a few of his roles need special mention - Chandana, Zamindarugari Ammayi, Devathalara Deevinchandi, Panthulamma, Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Andame Anandam etc. He has also acted in a few Tamil films. He was a ticket collector in the Railways before he reached Telugu cinema. This senior actor committed suicide on 19 December 2015 hanging himself at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 66.

His full name is T. Sundara Sri Ranganath born in Chennai on 17 July 1949. After completing graduation from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati he worked as Ticket Collector in Indian Railways. He married Tirumala Chaithanya and couple had three children. Ranganath made his debut with the 1969 Telugu film Budhimantudu. Since then he portrayed numerous roles onscreen. He acted as hero in as many as 50 films and as villain in 60 movies. Later he moved towards character roles. 'Chandana' in 1974 was his first movie as a hero.

'Intinti Ramayanam', 'Zamindaru Gari Ammayyi', 'Panthulamma', 'Andame Anandam', 'Mavuri Devatha', 'Kondaveeti Donga', 'Thayaramma Bangarayya', 'Rama Chiluka', 'Khaidi', 'America Ammayi', 'Devathalara Deevinchandi' and 'Sriramadasu' are some his memorable roles. He has also directed one movie - 'Moguds Pellams'. Shanti Nivasam, Iddaru Ammayilu and Atho athama kuthuro are his television works.

The actor slipped into depression since his wife’s death in 2009. His wife faced with an accident and she was bedridden. Though Ranganath took care of her as a good husband, she passed away. Since then he spent his life in loneliness and depression, which could be the cause of his unfortunate suicide. The actor was found hanging in the kitchen of his residence. Though he was rushed to the hospital his life could not be saved. He didn’t leave any suicide note; instead wrote, ‘Destiny’ on wall. A few months preceding his death, he stopped playing his favourite game tennis and started rejecting roles. He left his bank balance for his maid who served him and his wife for several years.

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Updated: December 30, 2015